The room was nearly silent; the only sound coming from the periodic ticking of a clock in the corner. I stood firmly in front of a panel of seven emotionless individuals and three of my own scoutmasters, who, after intense deliberation, arrived at a unanimous decision that would change my life forever. Instantaneously, my identity changed from an average, teenage, high school student to an honorable Escoteiro da Pátria, the Brazilian equivalent of the American Eagle Scout rank.  Throughout...

In general, I believe a university should be able to help students achieve a strong foundation for their future in society and offer a place that is not only academically supportive, but also spiritually. Some things I personally would like to see in a university is a school with a student body that has pride and spirit and a supportive community that backs it. I want a college that sees its students as individuals, not just as one of 20,000 or...

I would create a course that focuses on how to achieve the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the proposed 2030 deadline. The UN’s eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), from 2000 to 2015, were successful in terms of reducing extreme poverty and the new goals seek to build on this success by focusing on sustainable development. The SDGs address environmental issues and social inequality in a holistic, in-depth way. I firmly believe that our ability to address issues such as poverty,...

I learned about Bowdoin at a college fair as a sophomore. Since then, my research has only strengthened my conviction that I belong there.

It was at a college fair in Curitiba that I realized Dartmouth was the perfect school for me. There, I talked to a Dartmouth rep and student and became obsessed with the school. Our conversation ranged from Brazilian culture to the D-Plan, and they both spoke enthusiastically about what they were involved in. I really related to them, and I think they represent the passion Dartmouth's students have. I can pursue my dream of being a successful businessman by joining...

I started taking interest in physical activity back in middle school. Inspired by a growing awareness about fitness and general health, I became a regular at the school gym. Consistency and perseverance through the course of my studies saw me become substantially fitter and, with this fitness, came many pleasant surprises, including increased energy levels, more appreciation from friends and boosted confidence. Physical activity brings me the greatest joy. I love outdoor sports such as running, hiking, and climbing as...

"Ending is better than mending. The more stitches, the less riches." Brave New World, the acclaimed book by Aldous Huxley, has to be my personal favorite. Being a banned book only added to its appeal and part of the reason the book was so controversial upon its release is the very thing that made it so successful. We want to believe that technology has the power to save us, but Huxley shows the dangers as well. To me, Huxley was...

Facing integrity, the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles and the ability to keep those morals intact, can be seen as one of the innumerous challenges we're faced with due to modern society, especially with the advent of social media. Each day, people with malicious intent hide behind the veil of anonymity and commit acts of violence, prejudice, and falsity such as cyberbullying and fake news, which can be seen as direct consequences to the detriment of...

Dear future roommate, It is a little awkward writing this letter to someone I've never met, especially since we're going to be living together soon. I bet you're wondering what it'll be like to live with me next year, so I'll try to explain. It's usually a little hard for two people who barely know each other to get used to one another, but I'll try and make it easier on the two of us and I look forward to...

“The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been” -Henry Kissinger. As an Escoteiro da Pátria, the Brazilian equivalent of Eagle Scout, I've learned that leadership is something taught from the moment we start Scouting. Leadership means holding yourself to a higher standard and putting your fellow scouts above yourself. In my years as a scout, in the US and Brazil, I have led others in finding their...

When I tell a friend or family member that I’m going to major in economics, they normally respond with a confused look, then say “Don’t you want something, say, more innovative ?” or “Oh great, just what we need, another businessman”. I then go on to explain to them how the business world is constantly changing and how ethics are a personal trait that cannot be attributed to an entire class. Most of the time, I'll just receive a...

I've lived most of my life in a small town of fewer than thirty thousand people in suburban Massachusetts. My only experience with living in a big city was after I moved to Brazil and lived in Curitiba, a state capital in Southern Brazil. I have flashbacks of tramping through the mounds of snow in a black snowsuit with my parents during the winter months. Since that time, I have been addicted to the slushy white stuff that we Americans...

The well-known American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson once called the apple "America's fruit". This is most certainly true; we had the one and only Johnny Appleseed on our side, we’ve created expressions such as "American as apple pie", and we even dubbed our largest city as the "Big Apple". Yes, it really doesn't get more American than apples. Another quote from Emerson also refers to New York City, the Big Apple, as a "sucked orange". "Sucked orange" is an...

While on a two-week-long adventure in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo last July, I learned firsthand how good leadership can save lives and make any situation much easier to deal with. Even though we weren't in the hottest months of Brazil's tropical climate, the temperature gradient, due to our constant elevation changes, got the better of us at times. Our journey was filled with stormy days, tired feet, and numerous health issues, ranging from nosebleeds to broken bones....

In general, I believe a university should be able to help students achieve a strong foundation for their future in society and offer a place that is not only academically supportive but also spiritually. Some things I personally would like to see in a university is a school with a student body that has pride and spirit and a supportive community that backs it. I want a college that sees its students as individuals, not just as one of 20,000 or...

"I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses". This was affirmed nearly four centuries ago by German astronomer Johannes Kepler and stands true to this day. As a part of an elite class of future college students, I look forward to learning from people far more experienced than me. Having my ideas challenged by highly qualified individuals won't only be transformative, as it'll also be necessary for the evolution of...

Clean drinking water is a rare commodity and many governments face problems ensuring its reliable supply and access. According to many studies, around 783 million people do not have access to clean, safe water worldwide. Exposure to unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation are leading causes of cholera and a variety of diseases. In developing countries, as much as 80% of all illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions and it's estimated that half of the world's hospital beds are...